Product Revision History

I've always seen life as the connection of points on a timeline. The milestones in our lives are the points where things are learned and ideas change. Its hard to grasp the parts from its sum, but I think you should always take something with you from the places you've been. Here's a glimpse into my lines of code...

2007: This year was marked by a tie... Not only did Karen and I celebrate 5 years of being married but I became a blood uncle to the most beautiful baby girl - Teagan. This has been a year full of wonderful surprises and I wouldn't trade it for anything. As I watch my niece grow I begin to realize that I'm no spring chicken but it also prompts me to look forward to all the things I can share and pass on. Karen and I continue to have fun together and that's something that I value more than anything. Trapsing all over Holland and Paris with her was definitely the topper to this golden year...

2006: '06 was all about adjustments. Karen adjusting to the store and me, adjusting to Karen adjusting to the store. Its been a wild ride so far and Karen is working far more than she ever has but she's also happier for it. I am more than happy taking a supporting role this year and helping out in any way I can.

2005: We (and when I say "we", I mean Karen for the most part) purchase a Scrapbook Store. In Karen's quest to find something that ultimately fulfills her, her search has taken the form of paper and embellishments. So far, everything is working out great and I love seeing Karen happy. I never thought that our financial empire would be built on paper but I'll take it. And by the way I can play 5 songs on my guitar now...

2004: Karen and I both receive our Advanced PADI Diving Certification. I spend a year teaching myself the guitar and so far I can play 3 songs.

2003: I didn't think anything could beat our trip to Europe but getting our first real home is definitely the topper. This past year also marks the award of my first black belt in Limalama.

2002: Karen and I get married and everything in my life falls into place. I must say that I pinch myself on occasion, just to make sure I'm awake.

2001: Get engaged to my "best friend". Also, as if I don't have enough things to do I begin to train in LimaLama and Kung-Fu.

2000: Karen and I bring Daisy home. We have never been the same since. Most of our friends find our behaviour funny when it comes to our "peanut". I still think its the best practice when it comes to having children later on in life.

1999: Make the career change from PC Technician. I am now an Microsoft Exchange Administrator.

1998: A lifelong dream comes to fruition - owning a home. Karen and I become the proud owners of a small townhome.

1997: Divorce. Its an ugly thing and I don't wish it upon anyone. If you're in love its painful. I go into hiding and don't re-emerge for a couple of years. The only good thing that comes from this is that anger and frustration spur me on to my third black belt. I don't feel that I earn this one but in time I grow into it.

1996: I meet Karen; we become friends through a co-worker. Karen will be the only person that will help me through the divorce. As time goes by she and I will date and become involved. I will grow the most with her help and become the best person that I've ever been. Even though I've become gun-shy about marriage I will propose to her in 2001.

1995: My first computer job - I join the ranks as a PC Technician and Macintosh Geek.

1994: I get married for the first time. This is an exercise in futility. If hindsight were 20/20 we wouldn't have taken this step but at this point neither of us can stop the "train wreck". We do love each other but we're young and have nothing in common, eventually this catches up with us. This is also the year I earn my second black belt.

1993: First corporate job. I am lucky enough to find a mentor at this company and he influences my life in a lot of ways. All the managers I've had since have been measured up against Mike Calvert - most of them are left wanting.

1992: College graduation. At this point I'm just happy to be out. It always felt like a prison sentence and my graduation was quiet and without fanfare. I didn't march, didn't party or celebrate. Life moves on and I look forward to making some money and finding myself a worthwhile career.

1991: I come to grips with the fact that I did not want to become a physician. It was a hard decision and my parents didn't take it too well but I came out okay and in retrospect I haven't regretted it. I switch to communications as a major with a graphic design minor.

1990: Academic Probation - too much of '87 and '88. This year I also get my first black belt.

1989: I begin dating my first wife. This will become a large bulk of my experience with relationships. My life will now be filled with extreme highs and lows. This is the fruition of some hard work and patience, as I have been in love with this woman since 7th grade. Like I said - this will become my first marriage and the biggest learning experience of my life.

1988: More of the same of '87. This is also the year I begin my love affair with the Martial Arts. My brother manages to find a Ninjutsu teacher and the rest is history. Through my time at Shibu West I also meet my current Sensei and mentor Sifu George Lugo.

1987: Clubbing, partying and ditching school. I also buy my first MR-2. Its a dream come true and I begin to spend ludicrous amounts of money on her...

1986: This concludes one of the best scholastic years I have ever had. Graduating High School was a special time for me. Public School embraced me and I embraced it. I was young with a million possibilities, in love and hopeful for the future. My parents have also bought me a new car. Its not my dream car but I'm not entirely ungrateful. I drive my new Jetta into two accidents and extremely high insurance payments.

1985: I meet and fall in love with my first long-term relationship. She's cute, creative and a gymnast - who could ask for more? In spite of some inmaturity and poor judgement on my part we manage to stay together well into college. We break up my sophmore year in college and I handle the break-up very badly. Mostly because of her maturity and hopefully some growth on my part, we remain friends.

1984: First Girlfriend and "older woman" to boot. It didn't turn out the way we wanted but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm only a measley freshman but I'm hanging out with Seniors and finally beginning a much needed growth spurt. She'll break up with me after she leaves for college, on her birthday no less. This event becomes a life lesson.

1983: Freshman year in High School. I spend most of my time trying to impress the wrong people and fail miserably. At home, we get our first color television.

1982: 8th grade graduation. This is a mini-milestone but it is also the year that I get my new bike. My brother and I enjoy a great summer of ice cream, sleeping in, and enough TV to give you a migraine.

1981: First Kiss - nuff said.

1980: My 6th grade class collectively manages to cause our teacher, Mr. Miller a nervous breakdown. We're not sure what happened to Mr. Miller after that first year at our school but he never came back. This is also the year my brother and I become part of a growing trend in America - "latch-key kids".

1979: My cousin visits from Oregon and our families watch "Star Wars" together. I remember being transfixed the entire time. I think it was then I realized that I was a movie junkie. Of course I won't quench this thirst until DVDs are created and I divorce my first wife.

1978: School still sucks and I'm beginning to wonder why my mother continues to put us through such misery. I'd really enjoy myself if it weren't for my classmates. In any case, I don't have a choice so I try and make the best of it.

1977: Third grade in a new school. Unfortunately this school won't provide much for me as the years progress... Being poor in a private school does nothing for my self esteem or self confidence. For about the next 3 years I will be affectionately called "Dumbo". This along with being picked last for everything will definitely have a toll... Oh well, what can you do? Mom fixes ear problem with a nylon head sock (how embarassing) and now I wait for someone more uncoordinated than me to come to my school so I can move up to "next to last..."

1976: We move back to the United States from Guadalajara. We have left my Dad behind to finish up medical school. For the next 2 years it will be my mom, my brother and me. We manage, but we have our share of growing pains and arguments.

1975: I remember church potlucks in the park, I also remember my friends Ted, his sister Betty and my crazy neighbor Igor. I remember playing "canicas" (marbles) in the dirt. I also remember flying down the hill on my bike and seeing "The mummy" for the first time - I couldn't sleep that night. All these things happened in Spanish but now I remember them in English. Mexico was fun and there are parts that I really enjoyed.

1974: I have my first "crush". The girl's name is Karlin Vetne.

1973: We move to Guadalajara, Mexico for my Dad to go to medical school. We wind up buying a large house on a hill and I start attending and SDA school where my Mom teaches Spanish to the visitors and English to the natives.

1972: Our dog Manix runs away from home. I break the front tire on my "Big Wheel" thinking I could jump a curb by going fast.

1971: My brother is born. My brother will become my partner in crime and my best friend. From this time on we will be inseperable, aside from a healthy share of disagreements and arguments. As time goes on he will become a someone I respect and look up to.

1970: My mother miscarries my soon to be sibling.

1969: I was born on February 24. This was the year of our moon landing as well as my humble beginnings. I was born in Los Angeles and for all intents and purposes I find myself being born an American and a California native. In retrospect I can't thank my parents enough for the sacrifices they made to come here and begin a new life.